Zorua caught the “Spell Tag,” and its aura instantly skyrocketed.
The Ghost-type energy it radiated became increasingly dense.
If it hadn’t been for its lack of accumulated foundation, it might have fucking evolved right on the spot.
But even without evolving, the pure quality of its Ghost-type energy was subtly and permanently elevated, laying a rock-solid foundation for its future.
Not to mention, with the massive buff from this Intermediate-tier Held Item, the destructive power of Zorua’s Ghost-type moves would multiply drastically from now on.
Aside from the “Spell Tag,” Lorze had also looted quite a few burial artifacts from that tomb.
Upon laying them out for inventory, he realized most were ordinary, mundane items.
If he got the chance to sell them as antique collectibles later, they should still fetch a hefty sum of Pokémon Dollars.
The only absolute anomaly was that suit of armor stripped from the Skeleton Warrior.
Having been marinated in the tomb’s environment for centuries, it had actually birthed pure Ghost-type energy of its own.
Lorze thought for a moment, realizing this armor strongly resembled the legendary “Malicious Armor” rumored to trigger a Charcadet’s evolution.
He figured he could track down a Charcadet someday to confirm it.
After completely finishing his inventory, Lorze finally pulled out the Poké Ball containing the Honedge.
It certainly wouldn’t be as easy to talk to as Froslass.
As a fiercely loyal tomb guardian, the moment it laid eyes on him—a literal grave robber—it would likely attack instantly.
But right now, he had his two major enforcers, Zorua and Froslass, right by his side.
Furthermore, Honedge’s injuries hadn’t been treated yet.
At best, it had merely regained consciousness and a sliver of energy, so it shouldn’t pose much of a fucking threat.
Thinking of this, Lorze didn’t hesitate any longer.
He decisively clicked the Poké Ball open and released the Honedge.
Upon materializing, Honedge spun in place twice, looking dizzy as all hell.
It took half a minute for it to finally process its situation, instantly flying into a panicked rage.
Hopping onto the nightstand, the eye on its hilt widened like a brass bell:
“Who in the blazes are you people?!
How do you possess such a demonic sealing spell?!”
“Sealing spell?
Sorry to burst your bubble.
I do know a bit of magic, but your so-called ‘sealing spell’ is literally just a standard Poké Ball.
Pretty much anyone can afford one nowadays.”
“What?!
A Poké Ball?
Has the craftsmanship of our Hoenn Empire truly reached such miraculous heights that even common subjects can afford such treasures?!”
“Hoenn Empire?
How long have you been disconnected from fucking society?
Emperors have been dead and buried for ages.
This land and sea are now governed by the Hoenn League.”
“What?!
The Empire has fallen?!
Impossible!
Absolutely impossible!
The Empire was overwhelmingly mighty, its borders spanning the entirety of Hoenn’s land and sea!
You damned grave robber!
Defiling my King was not enough, now you dare spout such treasonous, godless, and rebellious lies?!
Have a taste of my blade!”
The Shiny Honedge flew up and slashed fiercely at Lorze.
But in its current state, it was as pathetically weak as a programmer who had pulled three consecutive all-nighters.
Its speed was so agonizingly slow that Lorze even had time to lift his teacup and take a casual sip.
Froslass drifted forward gracefully.
Although Froslass barely used any energy, Honedge’s current condition was just far too incredibly frail.
In a single exchange, it was blasted away by the mini “Shadow Ball”, crashing into the ceiling with a loud Clang~!
“Oh shit!”
Before his eyes, the ceiling of Lorze’s newly rented apartment had been smashed completely open by Honedge, showering the room in a light dusting of plaster.
A moment later, a beautiful head—mixed with utter bewilderment, shock, faint anger, and deep confusion—peeked down through the gaping hole from above.
“Hehehe~ Good evening, ‘Mrs.
Landlady.’ I didn’t wake you from your beauty sleep, did I?”
…
“Let me get this straight.
You’re saying Froslass and Honedge just met for the first time, had some friction, and it escalated into a full-blown brawl…
which is why my house suffered this catastrophic disaster.
Is that right?”
“I’m so sorry.
I just received your generous VIP treatment, Nurse Joy, and I’ve already caused you such a massive fucking headache.
I’ll figure out a way to fix the apartment.”
Joy Jing didn’t immediately scold Lorze.
Instead, she looked at the Froslass floating quietly behind him, then turned her head to look at the Honedge currently in a “deep sleep” on the floor.
She gasped in absolute amazement:
“My god, Lorze…
You only became a Trainer very recently.
Yet on your very first trip to Mt.
Pyre, you pulled off this kind of absolute miracle.
It’s terrifying.”
“A miracle?
I wouldn’t go that far!
Maybe I’m just naturally attractive to Ghost-type Pokémon and got a little fucking lucky with my haul.”
“Lucky?
I, Joy Jing, graduated from my family’s academy at sixteen and was assigned to the Lilycove City Pokémon Center as a top-honors student.
It’s been three years.
In those three years, I’ve seen rookies with overflowing talent.
I’ve seen geniuses who collected all eight Gym Badges a mere six months after their debut.
I’ve even met ‘Chosen Ones’ who claimed to have seen Legendary Pokémon with their own eyes.”
Joy Jing paused for a moment, her tone as eerily calm as the ocean right before a hurricane as she continued:
“But until I met you, I had never seen a guy who had been a Trainer for literally one day, take a newly ‘Elite-tier’ Zorua to Mt.
Pyre, and come back with a peak ‘Elite-tier’ Froslass and a Shiny Honedge added to his roster!
And—most impressively—a terrifying Trainer who successfully blew a fucking hole straight through the ceiling of my house.”
Lorze fell dead silent for two seconds.
“So…
you’re complimenting me?”
“I’m trying to process my reality.
However, this Honedge of yours looks seriously battered.
Since I’m already here, I’ll give it a check-up for free.”
Honedge was still deeply hostile toward Lorze.
There was no way in hell he was going to let Joy Jing heal it right now, so he hurriedly blocked her:
“There’s no need to trouble yourself, Nurse Joy!
Honedge is a Steel-type; they’re universally known for having the toughest bodies.
It’ll sleep it off and be fine by morning~~”
Joy Jing stared at Lorze with a look that clearly said ‘I’ll watch you keep spinning this bullshit,’ before pulling out a medical kit and handing it over:
“These are top-grade Potions.
Treat its injuries yourself later!”
Obviously, Joy Jing had already figured out Lorze hadn’t captured this Honedge through normal, legal means, but she was willing to respect his secrets.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.
Once Honedge wakes up, you really need to communicate properly with it.
Steel-type Pokémon are famously the most stubborn.
They’re incredibly difficult to reason with at first, but once they acknowledge you as their master, their loyalty is absolute.
If you forcefully subjugated it, it definitely holds a massive grudge against you.
You have to guide it patiently.”
“No shit.
It’s been dead for centuries and it’s still simping for its feudal king,”
Lorze thought to himself, though verbally he immediately promised to do so.
He then pointed at the massive crater in the ceiling and said:
“Oh~ right.
I’ll hire someone to fix this hole first thing tomorrow morning.
And I’ll buy brand new replacements for everything else damaged in both rooms.”
“Mhm~ alright.
I actually have the day off tomorrow.
You can accompany me to the Lilycove Department Store.
When I find something I like, I’ll make you pay the bill.”
“As you wish~ Then I’ll clean this mess up tonight so you can sleep in peace.”
“Pfft~”
Seeing Lorze’s highly proactive, apologetic attitude, Joy Jing couldn’t help but chuckle.
She waved her hand dismissively:
“Forget it, don’t bother cleaning.
I’ll take you somewhere else to crash!”
Joy Jing led Lorze downstairs, ushered him into a luxury sports car, and floored the gas pedal, driving them straight into a massive coastal villa.
“So this is the villa you mentioned!”
“Exactly.
The interior of this villa is just a modest five hundred square meters.
It’s currently registered under my name.”
Joy Jing pushed the door open.
The motion-sensor lights in the foyer lit up in sequence, bathing the massive living room in a warm yellow glow.
The living room ceiling was over six meters high, with a crystal chandelier cascading down like a waterfall.
A winding staircase led up to the third floor, and several abstract paintings adorned the walls.
Lorze instantly recognized that these paintings were obscenely expensive!
Even though he didn’t know the artists, he absolutely recognized the solid gold trim on the frames.
After a brief tour, he found that there were at least ten fully furnished bedrooms.
Joy Jing told Lorze to pick any room he liked, declaring that the two of them would temporarily cohabit here.
Meanwhile, Lorze had only originally paid for a cheap bachelor apartment, all while enjoying half-off rent and entirely free utilities.
Now, without paying a single extra dime, he had upgraded from a tiny apartment to a luxury mega-villa, entirely reliant on the pampering of Sugar Mommy Number One.
He couldn’t help but sigh in awe—eating a sugar mommy’s soft rice was truly fucking delicious!